[ORP]A Home in the Country

[JacobSinopa]

It took a while for Jacob to say anything, his eyes searching hers still, there was still no joyous smile or cheering, but there was a breaking in his heart. As if in the long dark night some light had finally broken through, a very small ray of hope for them. Jacob nodded, "I would like to do this. Jacob was not sure what else to say, or do, so Jacob just stood there waiting on her to respond. Jacob's mind in a strangely odd place, half on her and half on his work, he left his eyes fixed on Aingeal as he waited.

[Aingeal]

Aingeal smiled softly, and took a step closer to Jacob. How about I head up to the barn and get things set up while you finish up here? she said softly. Turning she picked up the reins of her horse and slid up onto it's back. Looking back at Jacob and giving him a soft smile, she headed up the lane to the barn.

Getting the sleigh ready, she went up to the house to grab a couple of blankets to keep them warm, and dropped off her packages from the market. Hurrying back down to the barn she waited for Jacob to join her, as nervous as a girl on her first date.

[JacobSinopa]

Jacob nodded in an affirmative way at Aingeal, Jacob had several mixed emotions rolling around in him, he was happy because it meant they might be able to make progress. Yet Jacob was also nervous and he still held anger at himself for his actions, part of him knew that he couldn't beat himself up continually over it. What was done was done, but he still hated that he put himself in this place with her and nearly risked loosing her over it, he coped as best he could but the feelings were still there at times. Jacob moved a bit more quickly and finished his current section of the fence, once done he went to the barn to help Aingeal, talking was still uneasy for him, but he managed to let her know he was there and asked what he could do to help her.

[Aingeal]

Help me hitch up the horses, Aingeal said, giving him a small smile. After they hitched up their two horses to the cart, Aingeal carefully climbed up inside. Pulling her jacket a bit tighter around her, she waited for Jacob to climb up besides her to cover them with the blanket. It's a nice day for a ride, she said softly, picking at imaginary fuzz on the blanket. She wasn't sure what really say, but she was glad they were together. Hopefully today would be the beginning of them starting something anew.

[JacobSinopa]

Jacob helped her hitch up the horses, then he climbed up into the sleigh and took over the driving and was sure to listen to her directions. The air was crisp and snow was still on the ground, winter was still in force, it still being middle of January. Jacob was thoughtful and he decided to tell Aingeal something he held between them that made him uncertain. Jacob was thinking if he spoke to her about it or if he had before he might not have taken such stupid risks as he did before. As they road along to the spot she designated he reached over his hand for hers to hold it, it had been a long time since he held her hand.

[Aingeal]

It had been about a month since the sleigh ride in the snow. Jacob and Aingeal had talked alot of things through, failure in communication was what caused the rift in the first place. No more would either one just assume what the other thought or felt. Aingeal made a promise to herself she would never think Jacob could read her mind; even if he could share thoughts with her at times. Perhaps that is where she got lax, she just assumed he would know.

Sighing a bit it had been a long trip. Jacob had been studying, Aing butchering when the messenger came in from Spirus. Shion wanted the grant back that she had had forever, so she figured she would run to Spirus and take care of business. She didn't want to pull Jacob from his studies, so she went alone. While there she made some interesting friends. Aingeal met up again with Thorn, starting to get to know the woman a bit better. This Thorn was different than the old one Aingeal knew, but at times Aing could see bits of the past filter through. She also met Rieron, Thorn's travel companion. Rieron reminded her a lot of herself... brash at times, but also could be a nice guy. She had offered to escort the pair back to Bravia, only to be attacked by Pup and Karcier one night. Upon seeing Karcer in the tavern, he had challenged Aing to a duel, which she quickly accepted and put him away. Was only a slight flesh wound, so he would heal easily.

Now as she made her way across Fenia... she realized through it all, she wished Jacob was there with her. He could have shared in her travels, her victory, her general well being. As they crossed Fenia border, she caught a messenger in Fenia and sent him with a letter to Jacob.

	Jacob- I hope this letter finds you well, I'm finally on the last leg of my journey. I'm almost to Widu, perhaps you can join me there? I've made a couple nice friends, although no one seems to approve of them. But I learned long ago that its useless to try to explain things to some people. I've missed you greatly, and realize that there is no where I would rather be than with you always. I know our communication has been rocky at best in the past few months, but I truly love you and want to make things work. I hope to see or hear from you soon. Love, Aing

Sealing the letter Aing sent off the messenger with a few pieces of gold, before sitting there in the setting sun, wishing Jacob was by her side enjoying the sunset.

[JacobSinopa]

Things had been strange for Jacob, he was not well, something strange had happened and it left him not knowing what to do or how to respond. In effect he felt like a looser and an abject failure, but reading Aingeals letter reminded him, that despite some of the relationship challenges he'd had recently, the woman he loved, still loved him. It was time to tell her about what he'd been struggling with, and the sense of loss he felt upon it, in one sense it would make things better for him and Aingeal, but in another, it meant that in the realm of parenthood, he was just like like his father. This he did not like at all, and yet he did not know how to resolve it, but the connection with Victorious was broken, this gave him reilf, but it also he realized alienated him from the children, he still felt them, they had part of him in them. But he didn't know how he was going to be able to interact with Victorious, remain on good terms with her and still also be the father he promised to be.

Jacob wrote Aingeal back a letter and let her know he was going on a trip to Bravia to visit there and hopefully sort things out in his mind. In his letter to her he told her about the broken link, but he did not tell her about his feelings in his role as the father of the twins. For one he didn't know how to talk about it yet, and secondly, he wanted to talk to Victorious, he sensed her attitude about his role might also be changing too but he was not sure yet. Jacob reminded Aingeal that he loved her and that they should spend some time together soon, he asked if they could meet in Widu on his return trip back to Fenia.

Jacob quickly packed and left for his trip, he smiled as he left, Aingeal would be pleased, he'd finished the new fence in between his studies, he'd fixed the barn door, and also repainted it. Jacob decided when he returned, he would do some more repair work on the old farm house they lived in and give it a paint job too. Jacob made a few quick arrangements for the fields and the animals to be looked after while they were gone, then departed town with nothing more than his thoughts, and Aingeal filled every one of them.